The Power Of Workplace Rituals In Building A Culture Of Connection

March 1, 2024 By sheila connor Leave a Comment “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” -Vincent van Gogh As leaders in today’s world of work, deadlines loom large and demands are ever-increasing. Many of us struggle sometimes with how to maintain a sense of cohesion and purpose among our teams given the competing ever-present priorities. Team members may become disconnected, siloed, and ultimately less productive. This is where the implementation of workplace rituals emerges as a powerful tool for leaders to cultivate a connected organizational culture by engaging teams to drive sustained success.

A Harvard Business School study indicated that ritualized group bonding activities “led to a 16 percent increase in how meaningful employees judged their work to be.” Interestingly enough, these employees were found to be... Unlike routines, which are often mundane and task-oriented, rituals are imbued with meaning, significance, and symbolism. They serve as powerful catalysts for fostering a sense of belonging, identity, and shared purpose within a team or organization. For centuries, rituals have marked significant moments of transition – connecting people to themselves, each other, and all living systems. They make space to pause, give recognition, and guide meaning, even in the workplace. Wherever people gather in groups, you see rituals.

Through rituals and symbols, we relate to painful and beautiful events that give life meaning. Rituals powerfully highlight our mutual relationships. Jessica Kriegel, Chief Scientist of Workplace Culture, Culture Partners. Rituals are an important part of who we are as humans. When people attend religious ceremonies, celebrate a birthday or cook Thanksgiving dinner, we are engaged in rituals. These gatherings are opportunities to pause the day-to-day hustle and bustle of life and be present for a moment as we engage in something special.

A ritual is a marker of appreciation, contemplation and presence. In the workplace, rituals are especially important to company culture because they help everyone in the organization feel that sense of belonging. When leaders ritualize certain experiences, they diminish the likelihood that work feels like a constant grind. A Harvard Business School study indicated that ritualized group bonding activities “led to a 16 percent increase in how meaningful employees judged their work to be.” Interestingly enough, these employees were found to be... When leaders promote—and employees participate in—rituals in the workplace, they create connections that help each find meaning in their roles. HBR outlines the three major benefits that workplace rituals have: psychological safety, purpose and performance.

From weekly lunch dates with colleagues to bedtime stories with children, we often rely on rituals to relax and bond with others. While it may feel awkward to introduce teambuilding rituals in the workplace, the truth is, the practices improve performance, says Michael Norton in his book The Ritual Effect. Featuring Michael I. Norton. By Michael Blanding on April 9, 2024. Think about all the routines you follow on a regular basis: When you’re getting ready for work, you brush your teeth, go for a 20-minute walk, then take a shower.

Before giving a big presentation in the office, you might repeat a mantra to mentally prepare. And at the end of a long workweek, you gather with your spouse and kids to enjoy pizza and a movie on Friday nights. These routines are actually rituals—and though we may not think much about them, they can play a meaningful role in our personal and professional lives, says Harvard Business School Professor Michael Norton. “Social scientists have traditionally approached rituals from a cultural or religious perspective, but we all have our own idiosyncratic rituals we conduct throughout our days,” says Norton, author of the new book The Ritual... Leaders are under enormous pressure to address societal issues, maintain an active DEI strategy, and keep employees connected to each other and to the company’s mission. And since employees rightly expect to be able to bring their feelings — big and small — to work, supporting employees during cultural trauma and strife is every leader’s job.

It’s not always obvious how to address these issues at work, especially when leaders aren’t necessarily trained or experienced in navigating such sensitive, emotional topics. One important way to provide the support employees expect is through rituals. In this issue, we revisit a cornerstone of corporate culture: rituals. Drawing inspiration from Émile Durkheim, the pioneering sociologist and anthropologist, we explore how rituals play a critical role in reinforcing shared values, fostering social cohesion, and providing stability in an ever-changing workplace. Whether it’s a weekly all-hands meeting, a celebratory team lunch, or a moment of silence before launching a major project, these rituals transcend mere routine. They are symbolic acts that hold deep meaning, shaping how employees perceive and engage with their organisational culture.

Durkheim viewed rituals as collective practices that reinforce the values and unity of a community. In the workplace, rituals serve a similar purpose—they bring employees together, reinforce shared norms, and offer a sense of continuity, even in times of upheaval. But what happens when these rituals lose their meaning or become disconnected from the culture they’re meant to support? And how can leaders design rituals that genuinely sustain their organisation’s values and goals? Durkheim argued that rituals are more than symbolic; they are performative acts that bind communities together. In corporate settings, rituals serve as:

Candace Coleman : Jun 10, 2024 7:00:00 AM The concept of practicing rituals at work may seem a bit odd. We often associate them with religious customs or recreational activities like athletics, where they carry a lot of symbolism. In these situations, rituals are used to unify people in their belief or support of a practice or organization and deepen their commitment. These are precisely some of the reasons why rituals can also benefit businesses. In an era of historically low employee engagement, rituals can be powerful tools to help workers feel more connected to their employers.

Additionally, rituals are a highly effective means of reinforcing behaviors that maximize morale and performance. Rituals are not the same as routines or habits, although there is some interconnection. Ness Labs founder and neuroscience researcher Anne-Laure Le Cunff explains why rituals and routines aren’t the same in her company’s newsletter: “The difference between a routine and a ritual is the mindset behind the action. While routines can be actions that just need to be done—such as making your bed or taking a shower—rituals are viewed as more meaningful practices that have a real sense of purpose. By Tracey Rockett, Professor of Management Practice and Stacy Landreth Grau, Associate Dean for the John V.

Roach Honors College Whether you lead a fully remote team, a hybrid workforce, or an in-person group, one thing is clear: modern teams need new ways to stay connected, creative, and cohesive. One of the most effective—yet often overlooked—tools is rituals. They can help teams build trust, create culture, and increase team performance. Rituals—small, repeated, intentional practices—are emerging as some of the most powerful, flexible tools for strengthening team culture and performance. They can provide essential structure, connection, and meaning, especially in virtual and hybrid settings, where face-to-face interaction is limited.

When executed well, rituals help teams build connections, foster creativity, and navigate the complexities of modern work. Rituals have been a part of human culture for thousands of years—for good reason. Think about graduation ceremonies, religious services, and even sports team rituals. They offer comfort, connection, and shared meaning. In organizational settings, research shows that rituals can: In virtual environments, rituals also help overcome common challenges:

Rituals give teams a rhythm. They provide moments to slow down, reflect, connect, and celebrate. Reworked's leadership channel brings together the latest trends and best practices to guide the leaders of today and tomorrow. Hear from the leading voices in the space on organizational design, modern management, corporate culture and more. In the world of business, where strategies and metrics often take center stage, there's a hidden force that can transform organizations from the inside out: rituals. These seemingly simple practices have the power to shape company culture, foster connection, and drive success in ways that spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations never could.

Rituals are more than just routines; they are symbolic actions that carry deep meaning for those who participate in them. In a corporate setting, rituals can serve as powerful tools for reinforcing company values, building team cohesion, and creating a sense of shared purpose. Consider the case of Lennar, a leading homebuilding company, where a unique rite of passage has become a cornerstone of their corporate culture. New leaders are invited to stand on stage and recite "The Little Red Hen," a children's story that emphasizes the value of hard work and collaboration. This simple act carries profound significance, embedding the company's core values into the hearts and minds of its leaders. Research has shown that incorporating rituals into the workplace can have a significant positive impact on employee engagement and job satisfaction.

A study involving 929 individuals from 60 countries found that teams with higher levels of ritual engagement experienced: These numbers underscore the transformative power of rituals in creating a more cohesive and productive work environment.

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